Fawn

[petty_dabbler]

John hadn't checked in with any contacts, he hadn't really read the papers, and hadn't been keeping on his fringe websites. He was in love, and he didn't want to waste a moment. He had no idea how long this was last, but he was all in...to the detriment of the rest of his life.

He'd taken Fawn out and they'd got 99's. The weather took a turn, though, and the pair found themselves eating ice cream in the rain under an awning. John smiled at him, but the smile fell as the rai stopped falling. Not ended, simply froze in the air. The curtain of water parted and ahandsome Black man with orange-gold eyes stepped.

"Constantine," he said, then looked at Fawn as if he was rubbish. "Fae."

"Manny," John replied, "What do you want?"

He subtly slipped closer to Fawn and put his arm around him protectively.

Comments

[fawnthefae]

"Must we go home?" Fawn asked sadly. "You intend to start working right this moment?"

[petty_dabbler]

"I do. But I could use your help. If you'd like to. Help, I mean."

It hadn't occurred to him until that moment that Fawn might want to be out of this completely.

[fawnthefae]

Fawn pouted, but nodded.

"I will help if I am able."

[petty_dabbler]

Before going anyplace, John caught his face in both hands and kissed him soundly.

[fawnthefae]

Fawn purred into the kiss, holding on tighter in return before reluctantly letting go.

[petty_dabbler]

"Let's go home," he smiled softly. "We'll start with the cards."

He led him to the car and once he was in he turned on the defrost to keep the windows clear. It was much too hot and stuffy. That didn't last, though, when he opened the window to smoke.

[fawnthefae]

"You smoke a lot," Fawn noted. "Let me taste one."

[petty_dabbler]

"No. They're bad for you," he replied, the cigarette bobbing between his lips as he spoke.

"And once you start, it's hard to stop. No."

[fawnthefae]

Fawn huffed, but didn't argue.

[petty_dabbler]

He took a drag and blew it out the window.

"You know I'm sick. This is why," he said. "Cigarettes cause a disease called cancer."

[fawnthefae]

"Why would you smoke then? That is stupid," Fawn said bluntly.

[petty_dabbler]

"Tremendously stupid," he agreed. "But it's too late now."

[fawnthefae]

"Is that why you don't stop?" Fawn asked.

[petty_dabbler]

"Partly," he nodded. "It's a habit. An addiction. And I've done it since I was twelve."

No good reasons, really. Not a single one.

[fawnthefae]

"How old are you now?" Fawn asked, realizing he had no idea of John's age.

[petty_dabbler]

"Forty eight, now," he said. And then, the question he'd been dreading, "How old are you?"

[fawnthefae]

"Fae don't keep such detailed recordings, but I am beyond my thirtieth year now," Fawn shrugged.

[petty_dabbler]

John sighed with relief. He'd been terrified Fawn was closer to fifteen. It made him feel a bit better.

"My birthday was last week," he mentioned.

[fawnthefae]

"You didn't tell me, we could have had a party," Fawn pouted.

[petty_dabbler]

"I try not to think about it," John replied. "It's not as if my days are numbered. I'll be around until Heaven don't have any more use for me."

And only God knew when that would be.

[fawnthefae]

"Fae don't really celebrate our day of birth, only milestones," Fawn admitted. "But still... I could have made you something you like. I could have harvested those mushrooms you enjoy."

[petty_dabbler]

John smiled softly. Fawn was so kind. So thoughtful.

"I wouldn't say no. We could have a little thing. Mushrooms. Cake. It don't matter if it's late..."

[fawnthefae]

"I could encourage the mushrooms to grow in our garden," Fawn added cheerfully, nodding a bit and forgetting all about the unpleasant angel.

[petty_dabbler]

"You can do that?" John asked. "I'd like that. Maybe we could have a whole patch. Nothing big, but something fresh might be nice."

For someone who didn't eat much veg, it was a bit of a surprising suggestion.

[fawnthefae]

"Mushrooms do not grow in patches. They are wild and spread as they please," Fawn replied.